Miss SA panel of judges officially confirmed ahead of grand finale

The Miss SA pageant has revealed the five-member panel of judges who will be part of the selection process to determine the next Miss SA crown holder for 2026.

Also see: Miss SA Qhawekazi Mazaleni shares special message for 2026 matriculants

The panel brings diverse perspectives from law, healthcare, finance, and entertainment, connecting the finale to the platform’s wider focus on leadership and public purpose.

Meet the judges for the 2026 Miss South Africa pageant.

Musa Mthombeni

The former YoTV presenter and current neurointerventionalist and diagnostic radiologist will bring forth a health perspective. He is also the husband of Miss SA 2015 titleholder Liesl Laurie-Mthombeni.

The 36-year-old doctor is a two-time university graduate with a master’s degree in medicine in diagnostic radiology, a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBCH), along with various board and specialist certifications.

 

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Thuli Madonsela

Advocate Thuli Madonsela has been named as another judge on the panel and will bring the legal perspective to the pageant’s finale.

The advocate and professor has been a profound voice in the country’s legislation, having helped draft the 1996 South African Constitution and contributed to major laws such as the Employment Equity Act.

I just love anything to support the next generation. It’s my way of paying it forward,which I mainly do through the #Action4Inclusion student debt eradication drive. I enjoyed this evening with the ⁦@BeastFoundation⁩’s #LeadLikeAGirl 2024 Cohort and got this lovely Jacket🤍 https://t.co/2nFOtibF53

— Prof Thuli Madonsela #KindnessBuilds (@ThuliMadonsela3) August 24, 2024

Natasha Vermaak

Natasha, who won the Miss SA crown in 2023, will join the panel of esteemed judges. As a host and presenter, the former titleholder will bring an entertainment perspective.

 

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Pumla Molope

President of African Women Chartered Accountants (AWCA), Pumla Molope brings a finance perspective to the judges’ panel. She is the president of the organisation that is oriented toward securing the career advancement of black women Chartered Accountants (CAs).

‼️The Update‼️

Meet the judges for Miss South Africa 2026

Pumla Molope

President of African Women Chartered Accountants (AWCA)

#MissSA2026 #TheJourneyToMissSA #MissSouthAfrica #EmpowerYouthAfrica https://t.co/5d1KHuyEcl

— Nozipho M (@nozipho_mashaba) October 26, 2026

Also see: Kuhle Adams to host the Miss SA 2026 finale red carpet

Confirmed hosts

Lawrence Maleka

Joining the show as a host will be South African actor Lawrence Maleka. Known for his role in the hit telenovela The River alongside Sindi Dlathu, Lawrence is an award-winning broadcaster and actor. He has also hosted various TV shows and starred in the Netflix original Lobola Man.

 

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Jo-Ann Strauss

Former Miss SA titleholder in 2001, Jo-Ann will be co-hosting the main show with Lawrence. She brings her own expertise and knowledge of the pageant and modelling industry.

 

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Featured image: iStock/Jade ThaiCatwalk

Also see: Faith Mangope joins Miss SA 2026 as ‘The Mandate’ host